IGLA’s Ideas for Kids

Enjoy the lakes area staple complete with kiddie/family/thrill rides, cruise West Lake Okoboji on the Queen II, hit the race track, play miniature golf, shop, dine, enjoy a Nutty Bar, frozen yogurt at Bon Bon, visit both the Iowa Rock n Roll and Maritime Museum and hit the public beach!

The young and the young-at-heart will love the feel of the Central Emporium’s Sugar Shack. You will marvel at the selection of confections and be wowed by their old fashioned cash register. Located just up the hill on Broadway from the Arnolds Park Amusement Park.

Featuring Boji Splash Indoor Water Park, splish and splash with these exciting features: waterslides for all ages, 500-gallon drop bucket, water-dropping mushroom, toddler play features and water walk, triple-hoop basketball area and snack bar.

Bowling makes for the perfect rainy-day activity or a fun indoor family activity following a long, hot day at the beach.

9. Abbie Gardner Cabin74 Monument Dr., Arnolds Park, IA 51331

In 1857, amidst rising tensions between Native Americans and new settlers, 13-year-old Abbie Gardner’s family was killed by men of the Dakota Indian nation. This tragedy became known as the Spirit Lake Massacre. Young Abbie was taken hostage by the Dakota band and released 84 days later. Decades after the massacre, in 1891, Abbie returned to Arnolds Park and purchased the cabin, operating it as one of Iowa’s earliest tourist attractions.

Let your creativity shine at Kurio Kastle as you pick your own pottery, decorate it with your own designs, owner Lissa Potter will fire it and voila! You have an original and functional piece of art that YOU created!

Splish and splash at this colorful and whimsical Splash Pad that is surrounded by two play areas. One area is designed for toddlers, the other for older children.

16. Dickinson County Museum1708 Keokuk, Spirit Lake, IA 51360

The Dickinson County Museum preserves and shares the heritage of Dickinson County through a variety of exhibitions. The exhibits go back the earliest days of Dickinson County’s History, from the Spirit Lake Massacre in 1857 thru WW2.